Electric metering system.



No. 679,138. Patented luly 23, l90l. L. BELL. ELECTRIC METERING SYSTEM.

(Application filed Mar. 26, 1900.

(No Model.)

Fig. 2.

J nventor. Louis Bell.

Witnesses THE Noam: wz'rzas co. mom-Lama. war-(mums. a. c

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

LOUIS BELL, OE NEWTON CENTER, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO GENERAL IELECTRIC COMPANY, OF NEW YORK.

ELECTRIC METERING SYSTEM.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Iatent N 0. 679,138, dated July23, 1901. Application filed March 26, 190i). Serial No. 10,130. (Nomodel.)

T at whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, LOUIS BELL, a citizen of the United States, residingat Newton Center, in the county of Middlesex and State of Massachusetts,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Electric MeteringSystems, (Case No.1,1 l8,) of which the fol lowing is a specification.

The present invention relates to electric metering systems, one objectbeing to encourage the use of current by consumers during periods oflight load on the distribution-circuit, so as to promote more uniformand eco= nomical operation of the supply system.

One of the most serious problems that a central-station manager has toface is the great inequality in the consumption of current duringdifferent hours of the day. 7 From a period beginning between three andfive oclock in the afternoon the load on the system rapidly increases,while during the morning hours but little current is used. This requiresa large amount of reserve power in generators at the station and onother apparatus for the production of current, which is idle for a largeportion of the time. It is the practice of many station managers toendeavor to equalize the load by ofiering consumers a discount or lowercharge rate for current during the periods of low load on the system.This tends not only to promote a larger use of current during theperiods of low load, but tends also to divert a considerable amount ofconsumed energy from the periods of high load, thereby cutting down thepeaks in the load curve and permitting a more economical operation ofthe system.

Another object of the present invention is to contribute an incentive,particularly to such consumers as use electric motors, by establishingalow rate for the current used by such motors and arranging theconnections so that the motor will be automatically cut out and lockedout during the peak in the load curve. It provides also for thepermissive use of the motors during high-load periods, but at a punitiverate, thereby tending strongly to discourage the use of current duringsuch periods, but still permitting the consumer to 50 operate his motorsin case of emergency.

In carrying out my invention I provide a sealed starting-box for anelectric motor, the operating-handle of which is accessible from theoutside, and controlling devices by which the motor will be cut out andlocked against further operation at times of high load. I provide alsomeans by which the lock may be removed, if desired, but insure that insuch case the circuit connections of the metering apparatus will be somade that ahigher 6o charge rate may be made for such use.

I I prefer to effect the automatic control of the starting device byelectrical agencies, and for this purpose may employ either a clockwhich electrically releases the operating-handle at certain hours or acontrol-wire leading from a central station, by which motors located atdifferent parts of the distributing system may be simultaneouslyrendered operative. In order to permit the use of the mo tor at apunitive rate during periods of high load, I prefer to employ amechanically-com trolled device by which the circuits inaccessible fromthe outside of the starting device are changed or commuted, so as tooperate the meter at a punitive rate.

The various features of novelty of my invention will be hereinafter moreparticularly described and will be definitely indicated in the claimsappended hereto.

In the accompanying drawings, which illustrate the invention, Figure 1is a diagram of an equipment for a consumers plant by which a motor isautomatically switched out or rendered inoperative during periods ofhigh load. 85 Fig. 2 shows a modification in which the motor may beoperated during periods of high load, but only at a higher rate ofcharge. Fig.

3 is a plan view of the starting-box, showing the cover and handle ofthe operating-lever, c the control-circuits being under seal andinaccessible to the consumer.

' Referring first to Fig. 1, 1 and 2 represent a distribution-circuitleading from a suitable source of current-supply. 5

3 represents a lighting-circuit, and 4 a tworate meter governing saidcircuit, allwithin the consumers premises.

5 represents an electric motor which is controlled by a starting-boxprovided with a [00 sealed cover 6, through a slot 7 in which projects abutton or handle 8, secured to the opcrating-lever 9. hen the motor isout of circuit, this lever is drawn bya spring against a fixed stop andopens the armature-circuit, and is latched in such position by a detentcarried by a spring-retracted armature 10. The lever 9 carries anarmature adapted to cooperate with the pole-pieces of a magnet 11, whichis cut into circuit when the motor is drawing current and which holdsthe lever as long as the motor is drawing current. The starting-box isprovided with the usual variable resistance 12 to insure a safe cuttingin and out of the motor. In circuit with the magnets 11 and 13isacontrol device by which they may be deenergized at a desired hour,determined by the central-station manager, when the period of high loadcomes 011 the system. This may be either a clock-controlled device, suchas indicated at 14, or may be a control-Wire, such as 15, leading to thecentral station and under the direct manipulation of a central-stationemployee. If a clock be employed, it should preferably be a selfwindingclock and be provided with a circuitcloser, such as indicated at 16,which at the time of low load engages an arc'shaped contact l7 andcloses the circuit of magnets 11 and 13 through a suitable resistance 18during the period of low load on the system.

The clock here indicated in diagram gives the low rate from eleven untilthree, a. m. and p. m. but I may use in practice a twenty-fourhour clockwith an adjustable discount period. Such clocks are well known in theart and need not be more fully described herein.

The motor-circuit includes the series coils 10 of an electricmeter-such, for example, as the well-known Thomson recordingwattmeter,which is the form shown diagrammatically in the drawingsthe potentialcircuit of which may be connected through a resistance with thesupply-mains of the system in the usual manner, as indicated in thediagram.

From the description just given it will be evident that when the cover 6has been placed on the starting-box and sealed the startinglever 9 willbe locked against movement during periods of high load on the system,since at such times the control-circuit leading from the clock orcentral station is open and the magnets 11 and 13 deenergized. It at thetime when the peak of the load occurs the motor is in service, theopening of the control-circuit deenergizes the magnet 11, releasing thearmature on lever 9 and permitting the spring to cut out the motor, thearmature 1O automatically looking it in such position. It will beevident that it will be beyond the power of the consumer to cut in hismotor after it is so locked. An auxiliary switch 20 may be employed toopen all the circuits during periods of high load. The control-circuitmay also include a magnet 21, by which resistance may be cut in or outof one of the operative circuits of a two-rate meter 1 for thelamp-circuit, thereby encouraging also the use of lamps as far aspossible during periods of low load.

I11 some cases where the use of the motor laps over the peak of the loadcurve it will be desirable to provide the consumer with means forcontinuing the operation of his motor, but at a higher charge rate,thereby securing all the advantages presented by the organization shownin Fig. 1 without subjecting the consumer to annoyance. In this case Iprovide an organization by which the consumer may release the lock onhis startingrheostat, but insure that in so doing he will change themeter connections, so that a higher recording rate will be established.A suitable organization for this purpose is shown in Fig. 2. In thiscase there maybe provided a key operating a lock 21 from the outside ofthe cover and controlling a switch-blade 22 inside of the starting-box,such blade cooperating with two sets of clips for changing the meterrate. On the same stem which carries the switch-blade 22 is mounted acontact-piece 23, which closes a branch circuit around the controllingdevice 1 1. During the period of low load the control device will haveclosed the control-circuit and magnets 13 and 11 will have beenenergized, thereby permitting the starting-lever to be moved and themotor to be operated. At the instant of maximum load thiscontrol-circuitis opened and the starting-lever is drawn back andlooked, as in the case of Fig. 1; butif it is highly desirable tocontinue the operation of the motor the consumer or a trusted employeemay insert his key and operate the switch 22 23, thereby closing abranch circuit through the magnets 11 and 13 independent of the controldevice 14 by way of wires 24 25 and contacts 26 26. Simultaneously theswitchblade 22 will have passed from the position shown in Fig. 2 andbrought into engagement with clips 27 27, closing the meter-circuit frommain 1 by way of wall-switch 20 to the starting-lever, (assuming themotor to have been cut in,) thence by wire 29 to the fieldcoils andmotor, the resistance 30 is cutout of the potential circuit, the latterbeing closed. by way of clip 27 across the switch-blade to clip 27,thence to the meter-armature back to main 2. In the position of theparts shown in Fig. 2 a resistance 30 is included in the meter armatureor potential circuit; but when the switch is shifted to the oppositeposition just traced this resistance is out out, thereby insuring ahigher recording rate for the meter. Thus it will be seen that by theorganization'herein described I provide for the automatic control ofmotors in the system and encourage their use during periods of low load.

While I have above described myinvention as applicable to consumersusing measured IIO current, it is not necessarily confined to suchapplication, as parts are of use in other cases. For example, thecontrol device and unlocking means might be used Where a contract priceis made based on use of current during low-load periods; but theconsumer might be allowed to lap over the load peak at a punitive'rate,and in such case in using his control device or key he would cut into acircuit a meter to register the extent of lap load.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of theUnited States, is 1. In an electric system, the combination of asupply-circuit, an electric motor, a starting device, and means fordisabling the normal operation of the starting device during 'timeperiods regulable by the supply company.

2. In an electric metering system, the combination of a supply-circuit,an electric motor, a starting device, an electric meter, and means fordisabling the normal operation of the starting device during timeperiods regulable by the supply company.

3. In an electric metering system, the combination of a supply-circuit,an electric motor, a meter for measuring its current, a starting device,and a control-circuit for disabling the normal operation of the startingdevice during time periods regulable by the supply company.

4:. In an electric metering system, the combination of a supply-circuit,a current-consuming device, an electric meter for recording its currentconsumption, and means for disabling the normal operation of thestarting device during time periods regulable by the supply company.

5. In an electric metering system, the combination ofasupply-circuit,current-consum ing devices, current-measuring devices in circuittherewith, means for cutting the consuming devices out of circuit atdeterminate periods, independent means for cutting them in during suchperiods, and a switch operated by the latter for changing the rate ofregistration of the current-measuring devices.

6. In an electric supply system, the combination at a consumers stationof currentconsuming devices, means, notunder the consumers control, forcutting them out at determinate periods, means under the consumerscontrol for cutting them in during such periods, and means for measuringthe current when so cut in.

7. In an electric supply system, the combination of a supply-circuit, anelectric motor, a starting-rheostat, means independent of the operatorfor cutting out the rheostat for determinate periods of time, and alockto prevent its being cut in until the period has passed.

8. In an electric supply system, the combination of a supply-circuit, anelectric motor, a starting-rheostat, electromagnetic devices for cuttingit out, an electromagnetic lock for holding it out, and acontrol-circuit operated independently of the consumer at determinatetime periods governing said de vices.

9. In an electric supply system, the combination at a consumers stationof translating devices, a control-circuit for cutting them out atdeterminate periods, a lock for holding them out, means under control ofthe consumer for releasing the lock, and ameter controlled thereby todetermine the extent of punitive use.

10. In an electric supply system, the combination at a consumers stationof translating devices, a control-circuit for cutting them out atdeterminate periods, a lock for holding them out, means under control ofthe consumer for releasing the look, a two-rate meter to measure thecurrent consumed, and connections for changing the meter rate when thelock is released. I

11. In an electric metering system, the combination of asupply-circuit,a motor, a starting-box, an electric look under seal in said box, meansfor automatically releasing the look at determinate time intervals, andan operating-handle projecting from the box.

12. In an electric supply system, a translating device, a two-rateapparatus, means for Withdrawing the supply of current from thetranslating device, and means for restoring the supply andsimultaneously changing the registering rate.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 23d day of March,1900.

LOUIS BELL.

Witnesses:

WM. S. YOUNGMAN, J. LEWIS STAoKroLE, Jr.

